20.513: Capital Assistance Program for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities


Popular Name: (Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Program

Objectives: To provide financial assistance in meeting the transportation needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities where public transportation services are unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate.


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20.513 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility: Private nonprofit organizations. Public bodies approved by the State to coordinate services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities and public bodies which certify to governor that no nonprofit corporations or associations are readily available in an area to provide the service.

Beneficiary Eligibility: Elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

Credentials/Documentation: Costs will be determined in accordance with the Section 16 Capital Assistance Program Guidance (FTA Circular 9070.1C) issued on December 23, 1992 and subsequent updates (based on OMB Circular No. A-87). The documents and procedures required of applicants are specified in the above guidance.

20.513 APPLICATION & AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination: This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 49 CFR Part 18 must be used for this program.

Application Procedure: Applicant should submit application to the State agency designated by the Governor. This agency will evaluate, select and approve eligible applicants and submit a program of projects to the Federal Transit Administration. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 and 49 CFR Part 18 and 19.

Award Procedure: The Federal Transit Administration approves the State's Program of Projects. FTA is responsible for providing notification of approval to the State-designated agency.

Deadlines: As prescribed by the State agency designated to administer the Section 5310 program.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: As prescribed by the State agency designated to administer the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities program. FTA approves grants on a quarterly release cycle.

Appeals: Interested persons are afforded the opportunity of a public hearing for capital projects.

Renewals: As determined by the designated State agency.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals: As described by the State designated agency.

Examples of Funded Projects: A typical project in FY 1995 provided $1 million to a State that used the funds to purchase 31 accessible vehicles for 30 local subrecipients throughout the State.

Range & Average of Financial Assistance: Not applicable.

20.513 RELATED PROGRAMS:

20.513 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS: This special program of assistance was begun in fiscal year 1975, when $20 million was distributed to more than 1,000 private nonprofit organizations to buy some 2,300 vehicles to transport the elderly and disabled. Continuation of this program has enabled thousands of elderly persons and persons with disabilities to achieve greater mobility and independence.

20.513 FINANCIAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency: FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Type of Assistance: Formula Grants.

Obligations: (Grants) FY 95 $57,114,000; FY 96 est $51,703,000; and FY 97 est $54,754,061.

Budget Account Number: 69-1129-0-1-401.

Authorization: 49 U.S.C., Section 5310.

Regulations, Guidelines, & Literature: FTA Circular 9070.1C, Section 16 Capital Assistance Program Guidance.

20.513 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog for the address of Federal Transit Administration's Regional Offices. State-Designated Agency: The Governor in each State has designated a State agency to administer the Section 5310 program.

Headquarters Office: Federal Transit Administration, Office of Grants Management, Office of Capital and Formula Assistance, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Phone: (202) 366-2053. FTA Office of Grants Management, Sue Masselink, Program Coordinator, (202)366-1630.

20.513 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula & Matching Requirements: Funds for this program are allocated among the States by a formula which is based on the population of elderly persons and persons with disabilities in each State according to the latest U.S. Census population figures. Grants may be made for 80 percent of the eligible project costs. Vehicle related equipment required to comply with ADA or the Clean Air Act may be funded at 90 percent Federal share.

Length & Time Phasing of Assistance: Section 5310 program funds are available to the States only for the fiscal year in which they were allocated. Unobligated Section 5310 funds may be transferred to the Section 5311 or Section 5307 within the last 90 days of the fiscal year. Any funds remaining unobligated at the end of the fiscal year will be redistributed to all the States by formula in the succeeding fiscal year.

Uses & Use Restrictions: Section 5310 funding may be used for eligible capital expenses needed to provide efficient and coordinated specialized transportation service for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Projects must provide for the maximum feasible coordination of transportation services assisted under this section with transportation assisted by other Federal sources and must provide for the maximum feasible participation of private-for-profit operators.

20.513 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: As requested by the State and Federal agencies administering the program. States must submit annual status reports and annual financial reports.

Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No.A-128, "Audits of State and Local Governments," State and local governments that receive financial assistance of $100,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. State and local governments that receive between $25,000 and $100,000 within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made in accordance with Circular No. A-128, or in accordance with Federal laws and regulations governing the programs in which they participate. Private non-profits are audited under provisions of OMB Circular A-133.

Records: Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of the final financial report, all contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents with the following qualification: If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved.


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